This blog was created for Niles Animal Hospital & Bird Medical Center by Peter S. Sakas DVM in an effort to provide information & discussion about animal related issues. It may move into some eccentric directions on occasion if the mood strikes me as I get more comfortable in this form of communication. I am open to suggestions & comments about the blog. Also view our hospital website www.nilesanimalhospital.com or Facebook page Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Top Ten Foreign Body Items Removed from Dogs

Found this interesting article on Squidoo.com

Most Common Surgically Removed Items from Dogs

Ten Reasons Why You Should Consider Insuring Your Dog

It's no
secret that cats are curious, and dogs like to chew on things.
Unfortunately, those traits can motivate pets to chew on, bite or
swallow items they shouldn't. Some of these objects will pass naturally,
but others have a tendency to become lodged in pets' gastrointestinal
tracts, resulting in pain, vomiting or internal injury. In those cases,
surgery may be a necessity.

The best thing pet owners can do to prevent costly foreign body removal
surgery is keep a clean living space. This includes making sure that
personal items are not left on the floor or within easy reach of pets
and remaining aware of each pet's chewing tendencies. Certain objects
may appeal more to some pets than others. Knowledge of a pet's tastes
and tendencies can help pet owners exercise caution when letting a pet
near objects that could be accidentally swallowed. Also remember that
table scraps can contain excessive grease, bones or other objects not
easily digested by pets.

Number 10: Sticks

Who
ever thought that playing fetch with your dog might actually cause
harm? I know I didn't! Playing fetch isn't going to harm your dog but
what you use to play fetch with just might. If you play fetch with a
stick, the stick may splinter when be retrieved by your dog. These
splinters can come off and scrape your dog's esophagus, stomach, and
intestines.

It is especially important to watch you dog when you are done playing
fetch. This is the time he/she will most likely chew the stick up. A
stick lodged into you dog's stomach is not something that can be easily
passed through natural means. Surgery may be required.

Number 9: Hair Ties or Ribbons

Dogs
like anything that is chewy. Chewing on things is a natural way for
dogs to clean their teeth. So that means they will chew on anything. If
you have young daughters in your house, please remind them to pick up
after themselves especially their hair ties.

A dog will see something on the floor and possibly start chewing on it.
Hair ties are an excellent choice. They are chewy, elastic, and fun to
chew on.

Hair ties are not an object you have to worry to much about because of
its size but their is a possibility it could cause some intestinal
problems in your pooch.

Check Out What This Guy Ate!

Number 8: Bones

What
dog doesn't like to chew on a bone? Almost all do! Bones aren't bad for
you dog unless they do not chew them up into small enough pieces.

A sharp piece of bone can scrape your dogs throat, and intestinal tract.
Larger pieces of bone could get lodged in the esophagus or intestines.
This causes an unnecessary obstruction which will lead to severe
problems like choking or and obstructed bowel. Anything that is lodge is
going to require surgery to remove.

Number 7: Corn Cobs

Never
in a million years would I have thought about a dog swallowing a corn
cob, but hey anything can happen. This isn't a concern for all dog
owners, just the ones that live on a farm or in a rural area.

Just like sticks and bones, the major concern is choking and the object lodging in the intestine.

Did You Know!

The average cost of Intestinal Surgery for dogs is 3,000 dollars!

Number 6: Chew Toys

Just
a word of caution, make sure that your dog's chew toys do not have any
little attachments or adornments on them. Most of the time is something
is swallowed that is chew toy related it is usually the little bells or
ball parts of the toy.

In some cases, a whole chew toy has been swallowed.

If you want to protect you pup makes sure the chew toys are large enough
they will not be able to be swallowed and that they do not have any
tiny decorations that could be a hazard.

Number 5: Balls

If
it is round, you better watch out! Pets, especially dogs, have a
tendency to like to chew on and swallow anything round. So make sure
those tennis balls, golf balls, or your child's red bouncy balls are
always out of reach.

The biggest danger related to swallowing a ball is suffocation.
Depending on the size of the ball it could get wedged, or stuck in your
dog's esophagus blocking their airway. If your pet does manage to
swallow a ball it might not want to come out. Luckily, these things are
easy to spot on an x-ray.

What Dog Doesn't Like Belts and Bread Knives?

Number 4: Rocks

I
haven't seen many dogs that haven't ever chewed on rocks. What a great
work out for those jaw muscles! On many occasions, dogs while
accidentally swallow a rock, sometimes even more.

Your biggest concern is choking and obstruction the airway depending on
the size of the rock. If the rock is too big it might require surgery to
remove.

Number 3: Panty Hose

Just
because something is fun to chew on, doesn't mean it is good for your
dog. Panty hose have a unique texture that will appeal to your canine.
Dog's just can't seem to pass these up.

The main concern with panty hose is they can be a serious choking hazard
and cause intestinal damage because of the material they are made of,
there length, and elastic ability.

Ladies make sure not leave your panty hose laying around where your dog canget a hold of them!

Number 2: Underwear

What
does every household with dogs need? A reliable clothes hamper. Yes, a
clothes hamper. Dogs are curious creatures and have an insatiable urge
to chew especially when they are young.

Leaving clothes on the floor, especially underwear, can be a hazard for
your dog. Why do they choose underwear? I would guess because of the
texture and smell.

To save your dog a trip to the vet for a thousand dollar emergency
intestinal surgery please but all you dirty clothes in a hamper, where
Fido can't get to them!

Did Something Come Up Missing After A Bath?

Number 1: Socks

Socks
and dogs go hand in hand like milk and cookies. What is the easiest
thing to make into a ball and play a game of fetch with inside the
house? A SOCK!

Again it is texture and taste that will draw your dog to a pair of socks
before anything else. The stinkier the better! The only problem your
dog doesn't realize is they go down easier than they come up. Your dog's
digestive system isn't meant to digest stinky cotton socks - so the
only way to remove them is through surgery (did you budget that this
year).

2 comments:

Hi there! I've read many posts about dog, and I can tell that yours is very valuable. Life is never the same again once you get a dog. Each and every day holds the potential for another surprise and another thing to think about. Even though most surprises are pleasant, making you feel unconditionally loved, there are a few mishaps that can turn up from nowhere. See more http://dogsaholic.com/care/my-dog-ate-a-sock.html